DHS re-designated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended the existing TPS designation for the country from Oct. 1, 2016, through March 31, 2018. Eligible Syrian nationals should follow the Federal Register Notice to register or re-register for TPS.

What does the I-601A Waiver Do? The I-601A waiver helps someone avoid being barred from re-entry from the United States after she departs the US. Someone would be barred from re-entering the US for 3 years or 10 years if she had been present in the US for more than 180 days (3 years) or one year (10 years). This means that someone who is not eligible to get a green card in the US can apply for an I-601A waiver, get it approved, leave the US, and re-enter the US with the green card–without waiting 3 or 10 years outside the US.

What Does the Expansion of the Waiver Do? USCIS expanded eligibility of the I-601A waiver to those who are statutorily eligible for an unlawful presence waiver under INA Sec. 212(a)(9)(B)(v). This means that if the green card applicant can demonstrate extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse or parent, she may apply for and receive a provisional waiver, whether the basis for the immigrant visa is an employment-based preference category, a family-based preference category, the diversity visa lottery, or a special immigrant classification.

Can I Apply for the I-601A Waiver Now? It is important to speak with an immigration attorney to discuss whether you are statutorily eligible for the waiver and whether the facts of your case make it likely that you will be granted the waiver.

Did you know that I-94 information has been online since 2013? This means that when you enter the US, you no longer get paper I-94s. Instead, you must obtain your I-94 information at the CBP website.

You will not have I-94 information if you are a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, visa waiver entrant, and certain others.

It is a good idea to go to the Customs and Border Protection website shortly after you arrive to make sure that the I-94 information is correct. Sometimes, CBP makes mistakes in coding the manner of your entry, the date of your entry, or the length of your authorized stay.

USCIS opened the re-registration period for Salvadorans with TPS. The period runs from July 8, 2016 through September 6, 2016. To maintain TPS status, Salvadorans with TPS must register during this period. For more information, see this USCIS page.